A failure of the Hawkeye video review system angered del Potro in opening game on Friday, setting the tone for a match that saw Federer notch a fifth straight straight-sets victory over the Argentinian.
"It is a great win against an Argentine," Federer said. "It is the fourth time I have played him this year. I thought I played really well. This is great."
In the semi-finals, Federer will play either Spain's Rafael Nadal or Argentina's David Nalbandian, who took the court later in the day in the other quarter-final.
The women's semi-finals were scheduled for the night session, with world number one Victoria Azarenka facing Angelique Kerber of Germany and second seed Maria Sharapova taking on Serb Ana Ivanovic.
Federer needed just 69 minutes to dispatch del Potro, despite the marathon first game that lasted 11 minutes thanks to the Hawkeye problem.
In the opening game del Potro tried to challenge a call on Federer's serve by asking for a video review.
The serve was called in but del Potro thought it was out. When the Hawkeye review system didn't work, chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani of Sweden allowed the original call to stand which upset del Potro.
"It was clearly out and the machine didn't work," del Potro said. "The chair told me he made a mistake."
Del Potro was particularly upset, because he knew he needed to get off to a quick start against Federer -- and he admitted he let it affect him the rest of the match.
"Everybody knows I'm a very calm person when I play, but I told to him (the umpire), against the top guys maybe you have the chance of the match in the beginning of the match," del Potro said.
"I had break points before that ball, and I made a mistake. Then I don't know if I make another mistake with that chair umpire or he made the mistake, but it's not excuse.
"Roger played better than me. I can't be focused during all the match. I don't feel comfortable playing the match, but it was my problem.
"Roger did his job, and he's a good winner."
Federer said it was unfortunate but didn't think the failed challenge by del Potro ultimately affected the outcome.
"I thought it was funny he was getting so upset," Federer said. "It was a tough call for him but I don't think it had an effect on the match."
ATP Tour officials said the problem with the replay came from a dropped Internet connection.
"If Hawkeye does not have the data per ATP rules, the original call stands. We understand there was a loss of the Internet and the data could not be provided," the tour said in a statement.
The Hawkeye replay was involved the final game of the first set as well. Federer served and it was called out but he challenged and the replay -- which was working again -- showed it was in.
Upon hearing the verdict, del Potro walked towards the video board, turned his racket around and pretended to shoot it.
Hawkeye controversies aside, Federer put on an impressive serving display, hitting a 126 mph ace to get to match point. He then clinched the win when del Potro hammered a forehand into the net. (Reuters)
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